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Nick Swisher says hearing jeers from Bleacher Creatures “hurts”

Here are some quick quotes from Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher, who said after today’s loss that it “hurts” to have heard some of the things coming out of Yankee Stadium’s right field stands the last two nights and suggested that it might be a good thing for the Yankees to hit the road and get to Detroit:

On the loss: “As the game progresses, you’re trying to go up there and get a hit. If you don’t, people let you know about it. It’s a tough spot. Hey man, I guess that’s playing in New York.”

On hearing boos every at-bat: “I don’t ever remember that happening. But hey, man, that’s New York for you.”

Does it bother you?: “It’s a crazy game. Being here in New York, obviously there’s a lot of expectations. I don’t know what to say, bro. I’m just going to kind of let it go.”

Does it make it tougher to play here?: “If you get a hit, you might not hear much. But if you make an out, you’re definitely going to hear about it. That’s kind of the way it is here. As a group in here, we need to rally around each other and support each other whether guys are doing good or doing bad. That’s why it makes up these 25 guys in here; it’s all up to us.”

Given that, is it a good thing to go to Detroit?: “Maybe, man. I’ve been so fortunate to be here and play every day. When things kind of turn like that, it kind of hurts a little bit. This is the type of city and crowd that really rallies around their team. That’s the reason we’ve got 27 championships. To go through a stretch like this where it’s kind of a negative attitude, a negative type setting, that’s tough. But hey, that’s part of the game. Rightfully so. There are a lot of expectations here and I guess when you don’t get the job done, you’re going to hear about it.”

Did you scale back interaction with the Creatures today?: “Last night was pretty big. A lot of people saying a lot of things that I’ve never heard before. Prime example; I missed that ball in the lights and the next thing you know, I’m the reason that Jeter got hurt. It’s kind of frustrating. They were saying it was my fault.”

Much less interaction today, then?: “I’m one of those guys that if you give me a hug, I’ll run through a brick wall for you, man. It just seems right now like there’s just a lot of … It’s tough. It’s really tough. You want to go out and play for your city, play for your team. Right now, it’s just really tough.”

Always take warmup throws so close to the infield?: “Today I did.”

Lackluster salute during roll call?: “That’s the last thing that I ever thought would be in this ballpark, that people would get on you that bad. Especially your home, where your heart is, where you’ve been battling and grinding all year long. It’s just frustrating, man. You never want to be in that spot. It’s not like you’re trying to go out there and do bad on purpose. It’s just tough, man.”

Disappointing?: “It is. It hurts. Sometimes I’m a sensitive guy and some of the things people say, they get under your skin a little bit. I’ve been lucky to be here for the past four years, bro. We’re not going to go out like this. We’re going to go to Detroit and give everything we’ve got.”

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17 Comments

Nick, when you were in Oakland you were a fan favorite due to your hustle and versatility. I remember when you came to an Alameda bar (right next to Oakland), and people where lined up around the block to bring their kids in for an autograph. I even went and bought a bag of balls and gave them to you to sign for the kids. But, that said, you weren’t that great of an outfielder. You did better at first. Anyway, stop whining about the fans. They love you or hate you because they deserve to let you know. One way of the other. In four years in NY, your skin has not grown thicker. You will be gone next year. Maybe the Rockies, where mediocre players go to die.

Mickeyyogi, if this series makes it back to NY Swisher is history, he’s essentially slaughtered the fans for slating his play which has cost the Yankees so far in the ALCS. Worst for him is the fact he particularly called out the Bleacher Creatures, who aren’t likely to take this kindly – and well, that wasn’t too clever when you’re the starting right fielder for the Yankees! The ONLY way Swisher’s not gonna hear all about these comments is if he goes 8-12 in Detroit with timely hits & RBIs, if he goes 1-12 and the Yankees somehow take 2 out of 3 from the Tigers at Comerica then he’s gonna get dogs abuse the whole game. He knows he’s not coming back next season, he knows it’s going to be a tough ask to bring the series back to New York (need I remind you we need to win 2 from 3 and one of those two games will be against VERLANDER) so has made comments which he knows will be extremely difficult to face the music for.

Personally, I’ve never liked you. I always thought you were all flash (that saluting bullshit is goddamn nauseating) and not enough substance. These past two post-season have proven what I’ve said from day one. I for one cannot wait until you’re out of pinstripes.

Things are tough all over. Fans are frustrated, players are frustrated because they can’t hit, the calls haven’t gone our way, The Captain is down, poor Joe G. has a memorial service to go to on his off day—-things are bad. But it is a 7 game series. The games are in Detroit, so the only player they’ll be booing is Valverde. The starting pitching has been very good. Win and all will be welcomed home with thunderous applause. Yankee fans expect wins, and this team has the talent to beat the Tigers. I know it and so does Nick S. Great teams will always have a time when character can and will make the difference. If some of these players fail the character test, then for many, that will be the end of their days as Yankees.

Hey Nick want to know what fans are upset at? Consider this. Curtis Granderson is now 3-for-26 this postseason, while Nick Swisher is 4-for-26, Alex Rodriguez is 3-for-23 and Robinson Cano is 2-for-32, with an ongoing slump of 26 straight hitless at-bats, which is the worst single-postseason skid in baseball history. You and this other guys AREN’T producing!!!!

I’ll stick up for the Bleacher Creatures here, those guys aren’t as dumb, they watch the game & see what’s going on and lets be brutally honest here, they’re spot on. Swisher right now couldn’t hit water if he fell out a boat, he’s a defensive liability & well, twice in two days he’s stayed on his feet to miss a play where if he lays out he makes it – all right infront of the guys in the bleachers. Maybe it’s because I’m a Scotsman, but here if one of your players isn’t performing you tell them about it – and unlike in America, we’re not adverse to using the harshest of language to do so. He wants to blame the guys in the stands for the “negative attitude” but ultimately the reason they’re negative is because of guys like Arod, Granderson, Swisher & Cano repeatedly failing, swinging at poor pitches and looking like they don’t care. Then they look into the Detroit dugout, they look over at Miguel Cabrera tearing anyone in earshot a new one because Valverde blows a save – well, if that doesn’t tell you about “attitude”, I don’t know what does.

I find it hilarious that Swisher can give any blame to the fans. You’re being paid to play baseball, and you and several other Yankees have an epic FAIL when it matters the most. It’s probably the most frustrating thing I’ve ever seen as a Yankee fan, because this is a great lineup top to bottom, and they should be hitting a lot better than they have been.

The only thing players should be doing during their post game interviews is 1. apologizing to the fans, and the Yankee organization for not doing their job. 2. fucking get a hit. Us fans are forgiving. If you get a hit in a big spot, all will be forgiven. Realize that and do it.

swisher you fucking pussy
you didnt lose that ball in the lights
its bad enough you cant field for shit but don’t make excuses
you take terrible routes to the ball and have for 4 years
lucky for you some idiots think when you turn the wrong way 3 times and make a lunging catch its a good play- its not
did you lose the ball in the lights on the blooper that landed next to you feet in the 6th inning? did the lights make you throw to third base when nobody was running there and you had cabrera dead to rights at home? did the lights make you field a routine single in the 13th inning vs the orioles and roll around twice before getting up turning it into a double. are the lights the reason you have jumped for balls that hit you in the foot? are the lights the reason you have been thrown out trying for triples by 20 feet down by 4 runs in the ninth inning. learn the fucking game and stop making excuses you gutless sack of shit.

Here’s a novel idea Swisher, how about knocking in some runs and you might not be hearing from the fans so much. Secondly, if you can’t stand the fire from the fans who are rightfully upset with the entire offense, less a few guys, then GO PLAY SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!

His attempt to put the focus on the fans’ reaction to his chronic failure in the postseason is weak-minded; yet another symptom of his fragile head. And remember, Nick–NYC made you. You were a MoneyBall footnote before Cashman gave you the vehicle to manufacture your over the top image and paste on your perma-smile anytime the red light was on you. Even A-Rod, who’s clearly heard it louder and longer than you have, didn’t take the bait to blame the fans.

Too bad. The fans are paying a ton of money for tickets, they can express their feelings. How about have a plan at the plate and actually walk like you used to. Suck it up. How about this? Go sign with KC or SD after this season and you won’t have to worry about hearing from fans or performing in the Playoffs.

I like Nick, and there are no excuses if fans did say nasty and personal things about him, but he’s been (not the only one) pathetic under the lights in October. I’ll be shocked if Cashman brings him back.

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